Apparently mid-January is a good time of year for sparrows at Atascadero Lake. I went on a Friday morning recently and found seven native species (California Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned, Lincoln’s, Song, White-crowned, and White-throated Sparrow) plus the globetrotting but non-native House Sparrow. Here’s a little gallery. Most are from that trip, but I didn’t actually take any pictures of the towhee, since I was so focused on the rarer birds.
White-throated Sparrow, Atascadero Lake, January 19, 2024
White-crowned Sparrow, Point Buchon, September 17, 2023
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Atascadero Lake, January 19, 2024
Song Sparrow, Atascadero Lake, January 19, 2024
California Towhee, Atascadero Lake, October 29, 2023
Golden-Crowned Sparrow, Atascadero Lake, January 8, 2024
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Atascadero Lake, January 19, 2024
Dark-eyed Junco, Atascadero, CA January 1, 2024